Notice2026-02318
Private Sector Participation in Domestic and International Events on Spaceflight Safety, Responsible Practices, and Commercial Space
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 6, 2026
Issuing agencies
State Department
Abstract
The U.S. Department of State seeks private sector participation in a series of domestic and international events promoting the safe and responsible exploration and use of outer space. Participation of the commercial space sector, academia and other non- governmental organizations in these events will assist the Department of State in fulfilling its responsibilities pursuant to the 2020 National Space Policy and in alignment with Executive Order 14335, "Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry," and Executive Order 14369, "Ensuring American Space Superiority." Private sector participation will also help inform the United States' international engagements and provide an opportunity for participants to better understand international perspectives on pressing outer space issues.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 25 (Friday, February 6, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5548-5549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02318]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 12941]
Private Sector Participation in Domestic and International Events
on Spaceflight Safety, Responsible Practices, and Commercial Space
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of State seeks private sector
participation in a series of domestic and international events
promoting the safe and responsible exploration and use of outer space.
Participation of the commercial space sector, academia and other non-
governmental organizations in these events will assist the Department
of State in fulfilling its responsibilities pursuant to the 2020
National Space Policy and in alignment with Executive Order 14335,
``Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry,'' and
Executive Order 14369, ``Ensuring American Space Superiority.'' Private
sector participation will also help inform the United States'
international engagements and provide an opportunity for participants
to better understand international perspectives on pressing outer space
issues.
DATES: Participants will provide their perspectives on Department
equities and/or serve as private sector advisors to U.S. delegations to
one or more workshops, meetings, symposia, and other international
events related to safety, responsible behavior, space policy and
governance frameworks, and commercial space activities until December
31, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Solicitations for private sector participation in specific
events, including event dates and locations, will be posted at least 30
days prior to the event on <a href="https://www.state.gov/remarks-and-releases-bureau-of-oceans-and-international-environmental-and-scientific-affairs/">https://www.state.gov/remarks-and-releases-bureau-of-oceans-and-international-environmental-and-scientific-affairs/</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Foreign Affairs Officer, Office of
Space Affairs, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and
[[Page 5549]]
Scientific Affairs, Department of State, Washington, DC 20522, email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0f796e676e61796e7b76754f7c7b6e7b6a21686079"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2553444d444b5344515c5f6556514451400b424a53">[email protected]</span></a>, telephone: 1-(202)-674-5813.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Events will vary in location and format, to
include fully online, hybrid, and in-person activities. Short notice
modification of plans may be required in response to unpredictable
factors. Meetings may be stand alone or on the margins of related
events, which may include, but are not limited to, the United Nations
Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) Scientific and
Technical Subcommittee (STSC), the UNCOPUOS Legal Subcommittee (LSC),
the UNCOPUOS plenary, events organized by the UN Office for Outer Space
Affairs, U.S. bilateral dialogues on space with foreign partners,
Artemis Accords-related meetings and events, international space
conferences and trade shows, and other engagements. There may also be
additional opportunities to provide expert views related to domestic
policies and U.S. positions in other international diplomatic fora.
Please note the limited number of slots for non-USG participation in
many events. Participants should focus on the following:
Safety: Identify key safety issues for crewed and/or uncrewed outer
space operations. Discuss current attempts to address these issues and
suggest new challenges that may develop as private sector space
activities advance and evolve.
Responsible Practices: Examine best practices and guidelines for
safeguarding the outer space environment for future exploration and
use. Examples include the implementation of UN non-binding guidelines
on space, including the 2019 UNCOPUOS Long-Term Sustainability (LTS)
guidelines, and the Artemis Accords.
Commercial Space Activities: Discuss the challenges to an
economically viable space industry and how these challenges relate to
the domestic regulatory and international governance frameworks. Share
recent advances within the commercial space sector and how they may
develop in the future. Evaluate how an expanding commercial sector may
affect equities like U.S. economic prosperity, geopolitical
relationships, scientific fields like astronomy, planetary protection,
orbital debris mitigation, space resource utilization, and other
aspects of safe and sustainable operations in outer space. Provide
perspectives on current and emerging foreign markets for U.S. goods and
services, their supply chains, and related legal and regulatory
frameworks. Identify trends, barriers, and opportunities to expand U.S.
commercial activity in the field of novel space activities, including
through international partnerships.
Facilitating Private Sector Input: Suggest ways to enhance
collaboration between the U.S. government, foreign countries, and
commercial space industry in the development of international best
practices and related mechanisms, including at the United Nations
level.
Valda M. Vikmanis-Keller,
Director, Office of Space Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2026-02318 Filed 2-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-P
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